Pioneers Win Second Straight - Storms Posts Big Night in Net For UC
Utica, NY (9-21-11) – The Utica College field hockey team beat SUNY Geneseo 2-1 Wednesday night at Upper Alumni Field in Geneseo, NY. Freshman Hannah Mackey netted the eventual game-winner for the Pioneers, while senior goalie Monica Storms totaled a season-high 10 saves, to help UC preserve the victory despite being out shot 15-4.
UC improves to 4-2 on the season while holding a 1-0 record in the Empire 8 Conference while Geneseo falls to 4-3 overall on the season. The Blue Knights compiled an 18-2 overall record last season, however they were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in the first round to Stevens Institute of Technology.
Utica opened up the scoring at 6:26 in the first half when freshman Louise Steele-Norton tipped in a shot at the left post following a corner attempt. Senior Mallory Mariano recorded her second assist of the season as the Pioneers' jumped out on top 1-0.
The Pioneers, who were outshot 9-1 in the first 35 minutes, took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
Following 59 minutes of scoreless play, UC converted a fast break transition, at 65:29, to take a 2-0 advantage. Mackey, last week’s UC female athlete of the week, tallied her team-leading fifth goal of the season, unassisted.
Geneseo answered just over a minute later at 66:42 to cut the lead to 2-, however the Pioneers would fend off the home team en route to their second consecutive victory.
Mackey and Steele-Norton, both freshman, registered all four shots of the contest for Utica. Senior goalkeeper Monica Storms improved to 4-2 on the season.